Everything and more about gardening in Shady's SE Iowa (USA) location.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Wildflower Wednesday... a little late

My Wildflower Wednesday posts will be late.But that's okay, isn't it?

Trillium Recurvatum Beck'Bloody Butcher' or 'Red Trillium'(clicking on the botanical name will take you to a USDA informational site)

This is a true wildflower - and this particular plant has an interesting history.

This map and information were provided by the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

The plant is an erect perennial from 8 - 16" tall with an unpleasant odor. The flower is 3-part, purple, and approximately 1" wide. The petals are slightly longer than the green sepals, blooming in April - May. The leaves are one whorl of three and usually mottled at the top of the stem. The plants thrive with moderate moisture - here seemingly primarily in woodlands.

In 2007, this little plant was sporting five spotted leaves and five flower petals. I couldn't resist planting it in my woodland garden to see what would happen! In 2008, it had 4 leaves and 4 petals. In 2009, it had the 3 leaves and three petals (as it should). However, in April 2010, it reverted to four leaves and petals. I wonder... will it revert to FIVE again this year??

9 comments:

Now that's a cool trillium. I do remember when you first wrote about it, but, hadn't remembered it was playing number games with you again:) I leave the WW post up for a few days~Just so everyone who want to may join in. xxgail

That's interesting that your trillium should have different numbers of leaves each year. I wonder why. Don't feel bad about being late--at least you participated; I've forgotten WW the past two months!

Trilliums are one of the flowers I long to grow, Shady Gardener - but I suspect that my summers, when they get tough, will simply be too hot for them. On the other hand, when I look at your map... continental America gets a lot tougher than we do in our temperate high altitude. But tell me - if it comes up five-parted again, won't you have a new species: a pentlium?? ;) Jack